The Antiquities Act, which has been integral to building our nation’s public-lands legacy, is 111 years strong. Americans’ love of and support for our public lands remains strong, too.

Support is strong despite attempts to transfer, sell off or carve up the lands that belong to all Americans, whether they live next door to a national forest or park – or 2,000 miles away. Support is strong despite efforts to shrink some of our national monuments or rescind the designations altogether. Or dramatically restrict presidents’ ability to designate national monuments.

On June 8, 1906, Congress approved the Antiquities Act, which authorized the president to designate federally managed lands as national monuments to conserve important historic, scientific and archaeological sites.

Since then, 16 presidents from both parties have used the law to establish 157 national monuments. These sites are among some of our most treasured public landmarks, some of which were later made national parks – the Grand Canyon, Acadia, Zion, Grand Teton, Arches, the Great Sand Dunes. They’re also part of a system of parks, historic trails, waters and other sites that a 2016 study by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government says annually generates $92 billion in economic benefits.

So, on the 111th anniversary of the law that has contributed so much to our nation’s heritage, culture, economy and sheer enjoyment, you’d think there would be a lot to celebrate. And there is.

Law, Monuments Targeted

However, there’s also work to be done to ensure the law and monuments remain intact. After more than a century of success, the Antiquities Act and some of the monuments created using the law are in danger. An executive order by President Trump has mandated a review of 27 national monuments designated since 1996. That review could result in recommendations to rescind the designations in their entirety or significantly alter the monuments.

In Congress, some members have introduced legislation to restrict the president’s authority to establish national monuments. A bill by Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska would require authorization by Congress, legislatures in the affected states and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for approval of a national monument.

It’s important to keep in mind that many of the monuments being scrutinized by the administration were designated after years of effort by local residents, sportsmen and women, hikers, campers, business owners, tribal members and elected officials. Bears Ears National Monument, whose review was fast-tracked, was established last year following decades of effort by members of tribes with ties to the area going back several centuries. The Utah monument is home to more than 100,000 archaeological and cultural sites, many of them sacred to several tribes. But for years, looters and vandals have stolen and damaged historic artifacts and even robbed ancient graves. One goal of designation is to better protect these treasures.

Public meetings on proposals to establish other monuments being reviewed drew big crowds of supporters. Business owners joined hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, anglers and Latinos with centuries-long roots in the region to rally for making Rio Grande del Norte and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks national monuments. When Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks was proclaimed a monument, Kent Salazar, an Albuquerque, N.M., resident and member of the National Wildlife Federation Board of Directors, said the action “preserves this iconic area for future generations and allows continued traditional uses of the land, helping maintain the local economy and wildlife habitat.”

Bears Ears National Monument in Utah attracts hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Photo by Lew Carpenter

Besides having enjoyed wide, public support for protection of fish and wildlife habitat, historic and cultural sites and unique landscapes, many of these monuments have something else in common: approval of monument designation languished in Congress before people sought a presidential proclamation. The Antiquities Act provides an important vehicle for responding to the public when Congress won’t or can’t.

Other monuments under review are:

Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Montana

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona

Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah

Katahdin Woods and Waters, Maine

Northeast Canyons and Seamounts, coastal Massachusetts

Papahānaumokuākea, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Cascade-Siskiyou, Oregon

The administration says it wants public input on these monuments and that “local input is a critical component of federal land management.” So far, an estimated 1 million comments have been submitted in response to the administration’s review of Bears Ears. Let’s boost that number for the other 26 monuments under review and celebrate the 111th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, one of this nation’s most important conservation tools, by speaking out publicly for our national monuments and all our public lands.

Take Action Before July 10th to defend National Monuments Under Attack
]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2017/06/the-antiquities-act-turns-111-how-about-a-hundred-more-years/feed/0“Monumental” Wildlife Habitat Across Americahttp://blog.nwf.org/2017/03/monumental-wildlife-habitat-across-america/
http://blog.nwf.org/2017/03/monumental-wildlife-habitat-across-america/#commentsWed, 01 Mar 2017 18:18:16 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=126169National parks are famous for the opportunities they provide to watch incredible wildlife, but did you know that many national monuments are home to spectacular wildlife, too?

National public lands, including national monuments, are jointly owned by all Americans. Using the authority of the Antiquities Act, presidents from both parties have designated national monuments on our public lands in order to protect priceless natural, historic, scientific, and cultural resources. Monument designations are an added layer of protection to existing public lands, and are a vitally important conservation tool. There are times when Congress can’t, or won’t, act to protect a vulnerable area, and local community groups often are able to successfully push for monument designation to achieve protections for irreplaceable wildlife habitat, historic sites, and culturally significant areas.

Let’s get to know some of our national monuments and the wildlife that call these incredible places home!

This national monument in Alaska might not be the easiest to get to, but the rewards for the intrepid traveler willing to make the trek to this area in southeast Alaska are great. This rugged area, full of old-growth rainforest and alpine tundra is home to the highest concentration of brown bears in the world, as well as the greatest concentration of nesting bald eagles. Visitors can also spot humpback whales feeding, harbor seals and porpoises cavorting offshore, and Sitka black-tailed deer bounding through the forest.

Whether you’re a geology buff, a wildlife lover, a bird watcher, or a history aficionado, Utah’s Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument has something to offer. President Bill Clinton designated this national monument in 1996. The 1.9 million acres in this protected area are home to many species of wildlife well-adapted to the challenging terrain and climate of this region. Native wildlife include the desert bighorn sheep, the endangered desert tortoise, peregrine falcons, and the endangered California condor.

Moose are a highlight of the recently designated Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Photo by Matt Dirksen, NWF.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

One of our newest national monuments, Katahdin Woods and Waters protects a stunning swath of mountains, forests, and rivers in northern Maine. If moose, snowshoe hare, Canada lynx, and black bear are on your wildlife check-list then head up to this national monument to go hiking, canoeing, backpacking, or simply exploring as you enjoy these wild northern woods and waters.

A herd of elk in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Photo by Bureau of Land Management.

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

This rugged, volcanic landscape just north of Taos, New Mexico is home to exceptional whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife-watching. The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument protects a migration corridor and wintering habitat for elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, golden eagles, and sandhill cranes. Explore the dramatic landscapes of this national monument, ranging from deep gorges to the stunning Rio Grande and wildflower-filled plains, all nested under the watchful presence of the Ute Mountain.

Laysan albatross chick and mom. Photo by Dan Clark, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

First designated by President George W. Bush in 2006 and later expanded in 2016 by President Barack Obama, this extraordinary protected land and seascape is the world’s second largest protected area. Composed of extensive deep water habitats, seamounts, coral reefs, and lagoons, this national monument protects roughly 7,000 species, a quarter of which are endemic – meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. Visitors to this incredible area can witness the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the endangered hawksbill sea turtle, the threatened green sea turtle, and numerous species of birds like the Laysan albatross.

Show Your Support
]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2017/03/monumental-wildlife-habitat-across-america/feed/1The Antiquities Act Under Attackhttp://blog.nwf.org/2016/09/the-antiquities-act-under-attack/
http://blog.nwf.org/2016/09/the-antiquities-act-under-attack/#respondThu, 29 Sep 2016 19:47:09 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=123050Artifacts were disappearing. Vandalism left prehistoric dwellings in shambles. Archaeologically and culturally important Native American sites, then referred to as “antiquities,” were ransacked.

In the late 1800s, “pot-hunters” – private collectors and thieves – prowled the Southwest in search of artifacts and prehistoric sites, leaving behind a trail of looted dwellings, remains, and settlements. Anthropologists, archaeologists, and historians raised the alarm that these invaluable artifacts and sites, many of which were still unknown or poorly studied, would soon be irreparably damaged, or disappear.

This may not sound like the beginnings of a public lands story. Yet, out of the concerns over pot-hunting and vandalism in the American Southwest emerged one of the most powerful and bipartisan pieces of public lands legislation in our history. John F. Lacey, a Republican Representative from Iowa and chairman of the House Committee on Public Lands, heeded the alarm over the disappearing “antiquities”, and introduced in the House what would become known as the Antiquities Act.

In the first use of the Antiquities Act, Roosevelt declared a striking rock formation in northeastern Wyoming as our nation’s first national monument. Citing the scientific value of this unusual geological feature, Roosevelt’s proclamation of Devils Tower National Monument on September 24th, 1906, was the first use of one of our most powerful conservation tools to protect our nation’s priceless natural, historic, and cultural resources for future generations. Many of our national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Olympic National Parks, began as national monuments, and the Antiquities Act has been used by Republican and Democratic presidents alike, reflecting the bipartisan nature of public lands conservation.

The first national monument: Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Photo by Avery Locklear, NPS

The 110th anniversary of the designation of Devils Tower National Monument just passed, and the same Saturday was also National Public Lands Day, a celebration of the wonder, beauty, and importance of our public lands legacy. Millions of Americans headed outside and enjoyed this fee-free day on our national public lands, volunteering, recreating, and learning about these national treasures. But some members of Congress darkened the skies over the celebration, pushing for legislation that would undermine this American birthright, and their efforts continue. The Antiquities Act in particular is under attack, with numerous bills in the House and Senate seeking to erode or destroy this crucial piece of public lands legislation.

Last week, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on three bills attacking the Antiquities Act. One bill would grant a state legislature or Governor the ability to veto a national monument designation; another proposes to exempt the state of Utah from the Antiquities Act, in a hail-Mary attempt to block a possible national monument designation in that state. This bill is related to one passed, also last week, by the House Committee on Natural Resources, which, while ostensibly protecting some culturally and naturally significant areas in Utah, would permit oil and gas drilling in a significant portion of unprotected areas. A Native American tribal coalition, recreation groups, and many other stakeholders have been calling for the designation of the Bears Ears region in Utah as a national monument, citing vandalism of historically and culturally important sites as one of the primary reasons for designation.

The Members of Congress seeking to undermine the Antiquities Act claim that public support does not exist for designation of new national monuments. The reality is quite the contrary: 80% of Western voters support “future presidents continuing to protect existing public lands as national monuments”, and recent designations, including Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico, were the product of tremendous local and community support.

Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM

National monuments protect irreplaceable natural, historic, and cultural resources, and in doing so they benefit the local communities. A recent report by Small Business Majority found that visitation to 10 natural and cultural monuments protected by President Obama is responsible for $156.4 million in annual economic benefits for local communities. The bills proposed by these members of Congress could block local community-driven proposals to protect important public lands and waters through monument designation.

National monuments, like all of our national public lands, are jointly owned by all Americans, and are the product of intensive collaboration, community and engagement, and public support. The Antiquities Act is a crucial means to protect public lands when Congress can’t, or won’t, act, and allows the president to respond to local and public requests for the protection of important landmarks and landscapes.

“That public lands are controversial is how we know they are public, and thus debatable,” writes U.S. environmental historian Char Miller. The process of debate and community engagement are hallmarks of the national monument designation process, and are the unwritten heart of the Antiquities Act.

As the National Wildlife Federation’s public lands organizer Bill Dvorak acknowledged during the designation of Browns Canyon National Monument, “you’re never going to get 100 percent consensus, but we had overwhelming public support.” This support comes from the local and the national levels, because national monuments benefit all Americans. The Antiquities Act remains one of the most powerful conservation tools ever created, and allows presidents to protect publicly supported and treasured historic, cultural, and natural wonders.

Thanks to the Antiquities Act, Colorado’s Brown Canyon will be conserved as a national monument. Image: Judith Kohler

Sportsmen and women wanted it. Hikers, mountain bikers, rafters and business owners wanted it. Veterans’ groups wanted it. So did Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, former Sen. Mark Udall, former Rep. Joel Hefley and Sen. Michael Bennet. They all wanted to see Browns Canyon in central Colorado made a national monument.

In December 2014, more than 700 people poured into a community events center in Salida for a chance to speak out on the proposal to establish the 22,000-acre Browns Canyon National Monument where the Arkansas River, one of the country’s best whitewater rafting spots, flows. Most of the speakers supported conserving the recreation and wildlife gem. Many of them, including Bill Dvorak, the National Wildlife Federation’s public lands organizer and one of the state’s premier rafting guides, had been waiting more than 20 years.

Listening to the Public

President Barack Obama responded by making Browns Canyon one of the country’s newest national monuments. After years of inaction by Congress, the president used his authority under the Antiquities Act to ensure that the rugged backcountry, important fish and wildlife habitat and recreation destination will be around for a long time. The act, under attack by members of Congress, has been invoked by presidents from both parties since 1906 to establish 142 national monuments.

“It was surreal,” Dvorak said of the invitation to meet with Obama and others at a Feb. 24 ceremony marking the declaration. “We didn’t know it was going to happen until shortly before and I was scrambling to get a flight out. I didn’t have much time to think it over.”

But he’s had plenty of time to think about the value of Browns Canyon and the wisdom of conserving it. And he rejects arguments by critics in Congress that the public was left out of the decision to make it a national monument.

“You can’t have more public input than we have had. You’re never going to get 100 percent consensus, but we had overwhelming public support,” Dvorak said.

Without the Antiquities Act, the future of Browns Canyon would’ve been uncertain, he added. He pointed out that mining claims were recently filed in the area, renowned for its trout fishing. The area provides habitat for bighorn sheep, mountain lions, mule deer, elk, black bears and raptors. It gives hikers clear views of the bank of surrounding Fourteeners — mountains more than 14,000 feet in elevation.

Dvorak, president of the community group Friends of Browns Canyon, and Keith Baker, the group’s executive director, were recently honored by the Conservation Lands Foundation as public lands advocates of the year for their work on helping win approval of a monument designation.

Former Rep. Joel Hefley, a conservative Republican whose district included Browns Canyon, wrote an op-ed in January urging action. He saw his bill to conserve the site stall in Congress in 2006 “due to Washington-style politics at their worst.” Former Sen. Udall asked Obama to use his executive authority after his legislation proposing a national monument failed to advance.

“I urge the president and the Colorado congressional delegation to listen to the people of Chaffee County and come together once again to finally get this decades-long effort over the finish line,” Hefley wrote.

Thanks to the Antiquities Act, there was a way to honor the public’s will while conserving some of our country’s natural resource legacy and outdoor heritage. After years of grassroots work by diverse coalitions, important wildlife habitat, hunting, fishing and recreation areas and stunning landscapes were ensured lasting spots in that legacy when Obama established the Rio Grande del Norte and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks national monuments in New Mexico.

Members of Congress working to gut the Antiquities Act contend that presidential declarations to save historic, natural and archaeological treasures are a top-down approach that cuts out the public. Just looking at the list of places set aside by presidents starting with Theodore Roosevelt reveals how crucial this law has been to enriching Americans’ lives. The list includes the Grand Canyon, Muir Woods, Capitol Reef, the Statue of Liberty, Dinosaur and Bandelier national monuments. And far from doing an end-run around the public, the Antiquities Act has given the public a voice and someone to listen when Congress refuses to.

After more than 20 years of work, public support has helped win approval of the Browns Canyon National Monument. Image: Susan Mayfield

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/03/the-antiquities-act-vital-for-the-public-vital-for-americas-outdoor-legacy/feed/0NWF Hosts 2015 Wildlife Conservation Briefing with Congresswoman Ann McLane Kusterhttp://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/nwf-hosts-2015-wildlife-conservation-briefing-with-congresswoman-ann-mclane-kuster/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/nwf-hosts-2015-wildlife-conservation-briefing-with-congresswoman-ann-mclane-kuster/#respondWed, 28 Jan 2015 20:41:19 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=103489On January 3, 2015 the 114th Congress was sworn in – and with it came an incredible opportunity to make 2015 a year of conservation victories for wildlife. That’s why we got together last night by phone with over 150 of National Wildlife Federation activists and leaders from across the country for a 2015 Wildlife Conservation Briefing!

A river otter swims through a canal in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, FL. Photo by Sara Lopez.

Just a few days into the new Congressional session, a series of bills and amendments were introduced to undermine conservation and threaten wildlife. At the same time, President Obama has the opportunity to finalize one set of historic new rules that reduce pollution from power plants and another that would safeguard millions of acres of wetlands and streams vital for river otters, migratory birds and waterfowl.

We know that what we do at the National Wildlife Federation to advocate for critical conservation protections makes a huge difference in Congress. Congresswoman Kuster (D-NH) explains in this clipwhy taking action, reaching out to our representatives and fighting for our conservation values is more important than ever in 2015.

Clean Air

President Obama’s Clean Power Plan is taking unprecedented steps to reduce carbon pollution, combat climate change and protect people and wildlife. The plan has set carbon limits for old and new power plants, taken steps to reduce methane leakage and has begun making landmark agreements with foreign nations to reduce carbon. And all of this is being done using longstanding authorities under the Clean Air Act. Listen, as CEO Collin O’Mara explains how we need to work together to protect these important actions as Congress tries to derail them.

Congress has started its session by voting on the swift approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Keystone XL Pipeline has long been opposed by NWF because of its climate impacts, and because of its potential impacts to wildlife, ecosystems and the Ogallala aquifer. However, even as we saw this attack on the environment move forward, Congress also voted on several amendments to the Keystone XL Pipeline bill that garnered unprecedented bi-partisan support for the scientific consensus that climate change is happening and that humans are having a significant impact.

Clean Water

As this new Congress unfolds, the health and safety of our streams and wetlands, lakes, rivers, and bays hang in the balance. Most immediately, next week, on February 4th Congress will hold a rare joint House-Senate hearing to attack the Clean Water Rule – a critically important EPA initiative that will clarify and restore Clean Water Act protections for millions of wetland acres and stream miles, and the drinking water supplies of 1 in 3 Americans.

This important rule clarifies and restores longstanding protections for headwater streams and wetlands that feed our drinking water supplies and play an important role in fishing, hunting, and the future of our outdoor economy. Additionally, the proposed rule gives much-needed certainty to farmers, land owners, and businesses, saving them time and money. Without this rule, confusion over which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act would continue. Listen, as Collin O’Mara talks about the Toledo algal blooms that happened just a few months ago and why it’s so important that we take action to protect clean water for people and wildlife.

Our Public Lands

Supporters of making Colorado’s Brown Canyon a national monument hope that President Obama will approve a designation. Photo courtesy of Friends of Browns Canyon.

The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is a spectacular ecosystem and home to some of the nation’s most iconic wildlife. Unfortunately, the 114th Congress is likely to push for drilling in the refuge instead of protecting it. Now, we have an opportunity to fight back and support President Obama’s proposed new management plan that calls on Congress to protect this special place.

The President also has the opportunity to protect places like Brown’s Canyon in Colorado or Boulder White Clouds in Idaho by establishing them as National Monuments under the Antiquities Act (first used by President Theodore Roosevelt to establish the Grand Canyon as a national monument.) Unfortunately, Congress is looking to attack or eliminate the President’s ability to designate national monuments under the Act.

Hear from CEO Collin O’Mara about why we need to fight back against these anti-conservation bills.

Take Action

If one thing is clear from last night’s Wildlife Conservation Briefing, it’s that we are going to need your help this year to protect wildlife and habitat and fight for conservation victories!

Here are three ways that you can take action today!

1. Urge your Senators to vote to support the Clean Power Plan. We will face all to many attacks in the coming year, and will need rapid responses to members of Congress telling them that Americans like you want to see action on climate and clean energy

2. Please call, email, tweet, and post on your member of congress’ facebook pages your own version of this basic clean water message: “The proposed Clean Water Rule is a critical priority for hunters, anglers, nature lovers, fish, and wildlife in (state). We urge Senator/Representative _____ to #ProtectCleanWater and express support for the Clean Water Rule.”

3. Please send a message to President Obama thanking him for his actions to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and urging him to use his authority to protect additional public lands, including Browns Canyon.

New Mexicans worked for years to see the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks named a national monument. Image: Patrick J. Alexander

Top-down or grassroots — it’s all a matter of perspective.

Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho has introduced a bill, S. 228, to block presidents from establishing national monuments. In a news release, Crapo criticized “top-down national monument designations” as potentially harmful to the local economy and public access.

But from the perspective of communities in Crapo’s home state, to Montana, Colorado and New Mexico, federal legislation blocking use of the Antiquities Act might look like a “top-down” response to public-lands management.

In fact, recent monument designations have been the result of years of work and lobbying by diverse community coalitions. In other words, the president was responding to grassroots campaigns, just as other chief executives from both political parties have since 1906.

After Rio Grande del Norte in northern New Mexico was declared a national monument in 2013, Kent Salazar, the Western vice chairman of National Wildlife Federation’s board of directors said: “We’ve been working on this for 15 years. Hunters and anglers support protecting Rio Grande del Norte. Environmentalists, ranchers and businesses support it. Native Americans have been hunting and fishing this area forever.”

National monuments matter to Americans

“We’ve been working on this for more than a decade. Sportsmen, many of whom own local businesses, have been diligently reaching out to community leaders and elected officials to make permanent protection of these important lands a reality,” John Cornell of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation said after President Barack Obama proclaimed the nearly half-million-acre area a national monument.

In Idaho and Colorado, many hunters, anglers, wildlife advocates and other outdoor enthusiasts would like to join the celebration. Members of Sportsmen for Boulder-White Clouds support using the Antiquities Act as the “clearest path” to conserving the world-class fishing and hunting country in central Idaho because legislation has failed so far.

“I think sportsmen and conservationists in Idaho are tired of waiting,” Idaho Wildlife Federation Executive Director Michael Gibson told a reporter. “People have been working on protections in the Boulder-White Clouds for 50 years.”

For more than two decades, Coloradans have been hoping to see Browns Canyon made a national monument to maintain the rugged backcountry, hunting, fishing and whitewater rafting that draws people from across the country. Former Sen. Mark Udall, Sen. Michael Bennet and Gov. John Hickenlooper called on President Barack Obama to use his executive authority to establish a monument after legislation failed to advance in the 113th Congress. More than 500 people signed up to speak during a meeting in December that was attended by federal officials seeking public comments. Former Rep. Joel Hefley, who saw his Browns Canyon bill stall in 2006 due to “Washington-style politics at their worst,” wrote a recent op-ed urging action.

“I’m hoping that we’ve finally pushed this thing through. It certainly deserves that protection after all these years and all the support we’ve generated,” Bill Dvorak, NWF public lands organizer and longtime rafting guide in Browns Canyon, told The Denver Post after the meeting in December.

There is wide public support for making Colorado’s Browns Canyon a national monument. Image: Susan Mayfield

Conserve our public treasures; Preserve the Antiquities Act

All the public, grassroots support would mean little if a president, who, after study and listening to community requests, would still have to win congressional approval to establish a new national monument. After all, congressional gridlock and ideological objections to conserving public lands are the reasons people to push for action under the Antiquities Act in the first place.

“It is critical that states and affected stakeholders where a monument could be located play a key role in the decision-making process,” Crapo said when he announced his bill to fundamentally change the Antiquities Act.

What really is critical is that Americans have another avenue when Congress ignores affected stakeholders and communities. It is critical to preserve the Antiquities Act, which gave us Grand Canyon National Park, Muir Woods National Monument, the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument…and many, many more.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/national-monuments-matter-to-americans-preserve-the-antiquities-act/feed/1Antiquities Act Attack Latest Affront to Sportsmenhttp://blog.nwf.org/2014/03/antiquities-act-and-sportsmen/
http://blog.nwf.org/2014/03/antiquities-act-and-sportsmen/#respondTue, 25 Mar 2014 21:33:22 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=93491Whether you are an avid angler, only go fishing occasionally, or have fished just a time or two, you likely remember the first fish you caught. I can’t remember the first time I watched the television show Knight Rider or the first time I played the Nintendo game Super Mario Brothers, but I remember vividly the first fish I caught. I also remember fondly the first time I caught different species of fish.

Wedding Canyon, in Colorado National Monument. This monument was created by President Taft in 1911 and expanded on by presidents Hoover and Eisenhower, all Republicans. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Carolyn Malone.

My first brown trout was caught while traveling between duty assignments in the military. I had to move across the country from West Coast to the East Coast and decided to take the scenic route through northern California to do some hiking and fishing. I hiked through Lassen Volcanic National Park and spent some time fishing a small stream that was full of little rainbow trout. I caught one after the other. The scenery was gorgeous, but there really wasn’t anything all that memorable about catching a bunch of small trout … until a huge brown trout grabbed my fly. The 22-inch brown was an epic fish that peeled off line in to my backing and did some amazing acrobatic jumps that will forever be etched in my mind. Not too long after that I was shipped off to Iraq. I found no matter how stressful things got, if I remembered back to that brown trout and looked forward to catching others like it, I knew I could get through anything.

Americans value public lands, but it seems like Congress doesn’t

Many of my fondest memories occurred on public lands. Whether it was camping with the family, hiking with a girlfriend, hunting with friends, or fishing Lassen Volcanic National Park by myself, these experiences were some of my best memories. I’m quite sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. A new bipartisan survey of Western voters finds broad support for protecting public lands and maintaining them under federal control. The results show an overwhelming 85-percent agree that when government closes national parks and other public lands, local economies in the West suffer. The survey also found that 83 percent believe funding to national parks, forests and other public lands should not be cut.

Last year the 242,455-acre Rio Grande del Norte National Monument was designated through Antiquities Act, protecting some of the best trout fishing in New Mexico. Nearly half of our national parks were originally protected under the Antiquities Act, and many of those federal lands provide excellent fishing and hunting opportunities. Photo by Garrett VeneKlasen of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.

Interestingly, after two decades of decline, hunting and fishing are experiencing a resurgence in the U.S. According to a report released late last year, from 2006-2011, hunting participation increased by 9 percent, while angling participation grew by 11 percent. Another report outlines the reasons for this recent trend, noting that availability of public lands is the fourth biggest reason for the increase in resident hunting, and the second biggest reason for nonresident hunting. That same report also lists access as one of the top reasons for both resident and nonresident angling. Clearly, Americans place a high value on public lands, and much of that value is generated from the recreation experienced on those lands.

Why then do some members of Congress keep trying to undermine our public lands heritage? Congress has before it more than three dozen land-protection bills with broad public support, yet only one has passed. The last Congress was the first in 40 years not to pass any legislation protecting land as new parks or wilderness. Earlier this year, Sleeping Bear Dunes became the first new wilderness in five years, which represents the longest drought of new wilderness areas since World War II.

To make matters worse, the Republican National Committee last month passed a resolution that the federal government should give public lands over to the states, which would in many cases mean more industrial use of those lands and less opportunity for hunting and fishing. Even worse, the House voted March 26 on H.R. 1459 — the ridiculously titled Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act — in attempt to neuter the Antiquities Act. The bill passed in the House with a vote of 222-201. It has no chance in the Senate and would most certainly be vetoed by the president, but yet the House dedicated taxpayer time and money on something the vast majority of Americans don’t want. HR 1459 was just the latest of 10 bills introduced by Congress over the years attempting to undermine the Antiquities Act. Is it any wonder that Congress’ approval rating recently fell to an all-time low of 9%?

Antiquities Act utilized by presidents of both parties

A little background on the American Antiquities Act of 1906: The Act, which was approved by Congress and signed into law by Theodore Roosevelt, gives the president the authority to designate federal land as national monuments and to accept private lands for this purpose. For more than 100 years, 16 presidents of both parties have used the Antiquities Act to create more than 130 national monuments, adding protections and access to our most important public lands. Nearly half of our national parks were originally protected under the Antiquities Act, and many of those federal lands provide excellent fishing and hunting opportunities. For example, the aforementioned Lassen Volcanic National Park was originally a nationally monument designated by Teddy Roosevelt.

President Obama has used the Antiquities Act several times during his presidency, just as past Republican presidents have done, including Coolidge, Hoover, and Bush Sr. Not all of these national monuments provide opportunity and access for hunters and anglers, but many do. A recent example of the use of the Antiquities Act to protect epic fishing opportunity comes from New Mexico. Last year Obama designated the 242,455-acre Rio Grande del Norte National Monument through the Antiquities Act.

I’ve heard about the great fishing in this area, but haven’t fished it myself, so I put a call into NWF’s affiliate, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, to learn more about it.

“The monument includes the Rio Grande gorge, including the confluence with the Red River, which is some of the best trout fishing in New Mexico,” said Joel Gay, NMWF’s communications director. “The public access is great. It’s really a playground for New Mexico. The uplands around there have elk, deer, antelope, bear, and there is good hunting for all of these within the monument area. The (national monument designation) protects this valuable New Mexico resources and ensures we can hunt and fish there in this same condition forever.”

If you are a sportsman or woman and you’re not angry about these blatant attacks on our public lands, you should be. Opposing HR 1459 and other attacks against our public lands is not about which side of the political aisle you find yourself, it’s about protecting our nation’s special places, and providing access and opportunity for all Americans to enjoy them.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2014/03/antiquities-act-and-sportsmen/feed/0Chimney Rock, America’s New National Monumenthttp://blog.nwf.org/2012/09/chimney-rock-americas-new-national-monument/
http://blog.nwf.org/2012/09/chimney-rock-americas-new-national-monument/#respondFri, 21 Sep 2012 19:13:33 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=67012Chimney Rock, one of America’s unique natural wonders, received a special designation today from President Obama—it is our nation’s newest National Monument. Native Americans, conservationists, preservationists, and local business owners are excited by this decision, and for good reason. By using the Antiquities Act authority to proclaim Chimney Rock a National Monument, President Obama has protected this cultural, archaeological and natural treasure for future generations to experience and enjoy.

A Popular Decision

When the country seems so divided on many important issues, preserving Chimney Rock brought people of diverse backgrounds together to demonstrate positive support for a place steeped in history. The site, with the twin pinnacles of Chimney Rock and Companion Rock, has strong cultural and spiritual significance for Native Americans, and was home to ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians. Garrit Voggesser, National Wildlife Federation’s National Director of Tribal Partnerships, explains the importance of the decision:

“This is extremely significant for tribes and recognizes their historical, cultural, and spiritual connections to Chimney Rock and the surrounding region. This is a great use of the Antiquities Act. It reflects that this is something that everyone wants—local communities, tribes, the state, Republicans, Democrats and the administration. This is refreshing given the current gridlock in Washington.”

An Economic Boost to Southwestern Colorado

The momentum to upgrade the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area to a national monument was a locally driven process with strong backing from area residents, tribes, businesses and conservationists. This momentum translated into bipartisan support from Colorado’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Scott Tipton and Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall. In addition to its intrinsic value, Chimney Rock National Monument is expected to bring in $1.2 million in economic activity to the area, based on a study commissioned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Native American ruins on and around Chimney Rock date back 1,200 years ago, and the elevated federal designation is bound to bring in archaeology enthusiasts and folks who just want to hike to see the ruins and surrounding San Juan National Forest. One of the most fascinating aspects to this area is the Great House Pueblo, where every 18.6 years the moon rises exactly between the two rock spires, known as a Lunar Standstill.

A Win for Conservation

Besides Chimney Rock’s rich cultural heritage, the area is home to many iconic wildlife species, such as black bear, mountain lions, elk, mule deer, bald eagles and peregrine falcons. It’s a truly great western landscape that now will be preserved for our children and grandchildren. The Antiquities Act is a special conservation tool that was established in 1906 and has been used by 16 presidents since then to designate national monuments. The president can use the Antiquities Act to protect special natural, historical and cultural areas as national monuments. In the case of Chimney Rock, all the requirements were in place to make this a perfect use of the Antiquities Act.